The Limousine Discussion Forum - Discuss Limo Business And Industry - Blogs http://www.limousinesonline.com/blog.php The limousine discussion forum - talk about the limo business and industry topics. en Thu, 17 May 2012 23:05:15 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.limousinesonline.com/images/misc/rss.jpg The Limousine Discussion Forum - Discuss Limo Business And Industry - Blogs http://www.limousinesonline.com/blog.php Electric Cars - The Way of the Future http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?108-Electric-Cars-The-Way-of-the-Future Fri, 11 May 2012 12:09:18 GMT Nowadays, if you talk about the car of the future, it’s all about electric cars. In fact, the 2011 World Car of the Year was a fully electric car,... Nowadays, if you talk about the car of the future, it’s all about electric cars. In fact, the 2011 World Car of the Year was a fully electric car, the Nissan Leaf.

And why should we not love electric cars? Though people may argue that electric cars still cause pollution because the factories that create the electricity they use are still pollutants, that is not necessarily true.

When your car depends on electricity, you can have that electricity made by greener, sustainable energy sources such as wind, wave, geothermal heat, solar power, etc. It does not necessarily have to be fossil fuels.

On the other hand, a gas- or diesel-powered car is inevitably fossil-fuel powered.

The case of China
Today, an oft-mentioned example when people argue against electric cars is one study, released in February 2012 by the University of Tennessee, which says that when the China began using more electric cars, the amount of pollution the people were exposed to actually increased. True, the electric cars themselves were producing less emission than their gas counterparts – but the cars needed to be charged, and 85% of China’s electricity comes from fossil fuels.

But what if China’s electricity came from cleaner sources? Then it would an entirely different story. As study author Chris Cherry said, “The study emphasizes that electric vehicles are attractive if they are powered by a clean energy source.

Therefore, he explained, “it is important to focus on deploying electric vehicles in cities with cleaner electricity generation.”

Clean electricity
In the UK, the green energy movement is on a roll. Major energy companies such as Centrica are investing in renewable energy technologies such as wind, biomass, solar energy, and landfill gas.
In your very own home, you could install your own solar photovoltaic panels, which would allow you to generate your own electricity from the sun’s radiation – not sunlight, but radiation, which goes through the clouds. This means that as long as it is daytime, even if it’s a cloudy day, you could still be making your own energy.

And if you’re not able to use all the power your solar panels generate, you could feed it into the grid and earn extra income.

With all these things, assuming that you use your electric car to drive 12,000 miles per year, your solar panel could for itself in less than five years, according to figures released in 2011 by British Gas. In the next twenty years after that (based on a solar panel’s 25-year manufacturer’s performance warranty), you would be getting your car’s electric power at practically no cost to you or the environment.

Today, more than ever, owning an electric car has been made more convenient. For less than £800, you could have your own electric-vehicle charging station at home.

If you are interested in this option, ask your electric car’s manufacturer about the installation of these stations. If your car is a Nissan, Renault, or Toyota, the charger-installing partner of these companies for the UK is British Gas.

How long until chauffeur services will be upgrading to Electric vehicles? ]]> awebuser http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?108-Electric-Cars-The-Way-of-the-Future Help! Conversion Advice. http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?107-Help!-Conversion-Advice. Thu, 10 May 2012 13:12:52 GMT I have a 1987 E350 schuttle bus that I am converting into a party bus. The seats have been removed and I have insulated and placed a new subfloor...
I have a 1987 E350 schuttle bus that I am converting into a party bus. The seats have been removed and I have insulated and placed a new subfloor down. What is the best way to secure the framing for the partition wall and bench seating? Your help would be greatly appretiated. Thank you.
]]> vjjb70 http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?107-Help!-Conversion-Advice. Any new affiliates recommended ? (new to Forum) http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?105-Any-new-affiliates-recommended-(new-to-Forum) Wed, 02 May 2012 14:26:15 GMT Hello, New to the form currently subscribed with Limos.com (Orlando Area) everything seems fine we get bookings here and there but just curious if... Hello, New to the form currently subscribed with Limos.com (Orlando Area) everything seems fine we get bookings here and there but just curious if any operators recommend any affiliates similar to Limos.com ? would appreciate it , Thanks in advance ]]> ELaf555 http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?105-Any-new-affiliates-recommended-(new-to-Forum) Toronto Limo Service http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?104-Toronto-Limo-Service Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:09:11 GMT Hi Everyone, Our Toronto Limo Company is around 13 years old and recently we have launched our new website that is... Hi Everyone,

Our Toronto Limo Company is around 13 years old and recently we have launched our new website that is http://www.torontolimosservice.com

We need your advise that how we can improve our site as our main business is wedding limousine at (http://www.torontolimosservice.com/w...o-toronto.html) and corporate limos in Toronto.

Thanks ]]> samriq http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?104-Toronto-Limo-Service NEW to the Limousine Business. Los Angeles CA http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?103-NEW-to-the-Limousine-Business.-Los-Angeles-CA Sun, 22 Apr 2012 02:05:41 GMT Hi Everyone! I'm new to the Limousine Business. Any good tips on how to market my company?

I work in night club promotions but no one really needs a ride unless they have a birthday or anniversary.

I'm looking for work during the day. How would I go about finding that?

Thanks! ]]> StarFleetLimousine http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?103-NEW-to-the-Limousine-Business.-Los-Angeles-CA Tips for Success in the Limousine and Car Service Industry http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?102-Tips-for-Success-in-the-Limousine-and-Car-Service-Industry Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:38:07 GMT
In today's slumping economy, many would consider it risky to enter or be involved in a luxury service based business venture. The limousine and car service industry would fall into that category. While it may be true that business is not what it once was, there is still more than enough opportunity to be both successful and profitable. If you've ever considered becoming involved in or actively run a limo service, it is important to recognize some of the key aspects and details necessary to make you one of the next success stories within the industry.

Being behind the scenes and not the wheel fail to expose you, an office person, to the many tales of horror that are often discussed in a car. These prior car service experiences are at times the conversation of choice coming from what should be the most important priority of your limo business: the customer. Customer service is at the tip top of the list when it comes to building and maintaining not only an honest relationship but a returning base as well. The customer will take everything from their first phone call and follow it through the entire experience. Behind the scenes, the customer service baton is quietly handed off from the office to the dispatch department, into the hands of the chauffeur and left up to them to deliver. It is important for the driver to be on time, properly attired and ready to greet the customer with a smile and a handshake. Small things such as bottle of water or a glass full of mints can also go a long way to improve upon the image of your service. A problem and incident free ride results in a happy customer and a happy customer is always a returning customer. Let the mistakes others, through your customer service, be your ticket to company growth.

A beat up vehicle with high mileage and a mediocre ride is no definition of the word luxury! It is important to remember that characteristic when maintaining or shopping around for the golden eggs of your business: the fleet. If customers do not have standards that must be met, they will surely go the budget friendly route and use a taxi. As a luxury service provider, it is important maintain a clean image and provide vehicles that are newer, clean and also properly maintained. Smoking in a vehicle this day in age is almost grounds for disaster and must be avoided at all costs. Routine oil changes, staying current with maintenance, repair, and quality car washes not only extend the life of your vehicles but will also aid in the resale value when it comes time to upgrade or expand. Also, be sure to keep track of all of your vehicle costs and service records as they do play a role in determining what you can expect to charge your customers. A customer riding in style is yet another reflection of your business and the tight ship you run. It is critical to not neglect what truly is the driving force of your business.

Think like a customer while preparing an effective marketing campaign and target those outlets. Once you've accumulated a client base and have a niche for delivering the quality of service that meets not only the customer expectation but your own as well, it's time to find new business. While every market is different and the target audiences vary, the objective always remains the same. Being a bit more aggressive with your marketing is often the key to finding new business. Set aside a budget but also be prepared to spend money for the new target audience. It takes money to make money. A more aggressive marketing approach can include your internet campaign. Is your website up to par at the very least? Can people even find your website? Search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM) and social media are to be considered when looking to build your company profile or rank your website among search requests on the big search engines: Google, Yahoo and Bing. Make sure to target keywords and search phrases that generate volume and strive to place your company website within first two pages of results. While professional marketing materials such as brochures and business cards are still effective and nice to have in this day in age, the internet is the king of advertising this generation. Also do not neglect the power of word of mouth through quality of your service. Many referrals come from the mouth of customers who have been happy and satisfied with what you have provided.

Finally, affiliates are your friends. There is plenty of work to go around and let's face it, there will be times where you will be in over your head no matter how big you may get to be. Having that reliable someone to turn to in such an event is the key to not only keeping your business running problem free but also your peace of mind. Whether it be the one car operator or an established business, look to build these quality relationships and be sure to treat affiliate clients with the same level of service as if they are your own. Doing business together is one of the more underrated outlets for income in this industry and also a critical backdoor to turn to when you get stuck in a bind. As with life itself, it is better to make and have more friends than enemies.

Having found success in the faced paced and demanding NJ Limo market, the tips I've been able to share with you are the result of some first hand experiences I've accumulated being both behind the wheel and the curtain as well. To go above and beyond not only your personal expectation but also the services provided by most others will be critical in establishing and maintaining your loyal customer base. Remember to never cut corners and always put these customers at the forefront of your operation. Failure to perform at the level expected is the only reason why many services fail to stay alive in this industry. Being ambitious, creative and using due diligence in your decision making will ultimately determine just how far you go within the limousine and car service industry.
 ]]> metropro http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?102-Tips-for-Success-in-the-Limousine-and-Car-Service-Industry How Long to Keep Articles Left in your Limousine http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?101-How-Long-to-Keep-Articles-Left-in-your-Limousine Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:44:29 GMT We usually make every effort as the clients leave the vehicle to visually inspect the seat and floor for possessions such as glasses, books, and... We usually make every effort as the clients leave the vehicle to visually inspect the seat and floor for possessions such as glasses, books, and other items, to hand to the client as they leave the vehicle, but sometimes we don't see the article until later. Then we use masking tape to mark the client's name and the date and time of service so we can return the item promptly. This makes the client appreciate and value our service all the more. However sometimes we don't find an article until much later and have no idea who it belongs to. Then we mark on it, the date found and keep it for three months in our lost and found cupboard. We make a list too so if the client calls or emails we can look at the list and see if a similar item was found.

Cathie of Calgary Limo ]]> Calgary Limo http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?101-How-Long-to-Keep-Articles-Left-in-your-Limousine Punta Cana All Inclusive Resorts http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?100-Punta-Cana-All-Inclusive-Resorts Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:07:32 GMT You will find wide range of Punta Cana All Inclusive Resorts (http://www.puntacanaallinclusiveresortsz.com/) and packages.Holiday resorts in Punta... You will find wide range of Punta Cana All Inclusive Resorts and packages.Holiday resorts in Punta Cana are all inclusive. From golf courses to happening night clubs, most resorts arrange everything in their holiday packages. Punta Canaboasts of pristine beaches, uncharted Caribbean waters, lush, exotic flora and striking native fauna. Holiday resorts too are fashioned with the ambience in mind. These offer a heady mix of wellness lounges, exclusive honeymoon suites, Casinos, luxury baths, scrumptious cuisine, private vehicles, tennis courts, private beaches and personalized bars.

Many resorts like the Sivory Punta Cana,Zoetry Agua Punta Cana and Paradisus Punta Cana Resorts, is composed of more than 600 guests suits including g80 royal suits, beach front suits and species suites overlooking the ocean. The attached mini bars are replenished every day. Private terraces, customized air conditioning and a dozen restaurants serve world class dishes. Similar resorts like the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers catamaran cruises, finest wines, customized personal photography, marine life tours, adult only suites and romantic banquets and smart connectivity among several other amenities.

For kids and teens, many resorts offer Xbox 360s, beach play kits, bath ware, birthday celebrations, DVD movies, children’s theme park and playgrounds. Attendants sharing the room with them also get a schedule of fun activities al can take part in. they can engage in table tennis, archery and music shows or go kayaking with parents.

Sanctuary Cap Cana, set in Spanish Architecture, is one of the best Punta Cana all inclusive resorts. The sprawling grounds cover 30,000 acres and redefines class and style. Similarly, all inclusive resorts like the Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro, Occidental Grand, Secrets Royal Beach, Casa de Campo, and Riu Palace offer the best in luxury and elegance.

All resorts which happen to be ill inclusive arrange for guest reception from the Punta Cana Airport in private vehicles. Resorts take guests to snorkeling, helicopter rides, boat parties, land excursions, horse rides, water aerobics, parasailing, and trips to neighboring islands and across the town. While checkout, these all inclusive resorts arrange for airport transport for guests.

All personnel are trained. Discreet client relations are maintained. One of the reasons behind booming Punta Cana hospitality business is the standard and quality of service provided by resort and hotel personnel. Entire packages vary. Average prices begin fro USD 360 and may go up to USD 1,100. It depends upon guest requirements. Many resorts offer suit up gradation option. Also arranging family celebrations like weddings or ordering complimentary items, take the expenses up.

All inclusive resorts in Punta Cana have everything guests need within the resort grounds. These are indeed good times for the world class traveler. ]]> dishli http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?100-Punta-Cana-All-Inclusive-Resorts Chrysler 300 Limo A/C System NEED ADVISE!!! http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?99-Chrysler-300-Limo-A-C-System-NEED-ADVISE!!! Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:59:00 GMT Hello guys, One of my chrysler 300 limos engine compartment has been partially burned down. We have now competed the restoration of the Engine and... Hello guys,

One of my chrysler 300 limos engine compartment has been partially burned down. We have now competed the restoration of the Engine and all seems to work besides the A/C. We have no clue on what the Limo A/C System looks like, so if anyone has a diagram for Chrysler 300 or any other limo that would be great! It would give us some hints on how to properly reconnect the system and fill it up. If not the diagram, than just a detail explanation of the system, like what additional components of the system are located inside the limo and where? Also how much freon do you think it would take ?4

SO far we know that we had 2 condensers and 1 compressor and 16" fan. We have installed it all besides the second condenser, hoping it will work...

So please any information on further installation and inside components would be greatly appreciated!!

THANKS!!! ]]> dimitri.vip http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?99-Chrysler-300-Limo-A-C-System-NEED-ADVISE!!! limo software http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?98-limo-software Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:43:38 GMT which software do you recomend for a small operator in the US? reservations,dispatch,farm out/in tracking etc which software do you recomend for a small operator in the US? reservations,dispatch,farm out/in tracking etc ]]> transporter http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?98-limo-software Premium or not to Premium http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?97-Premium-or-not-to-Premium Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:52:07 GMT I was driving with my mechanic the other day, and I asked him what he thought about operating my Lincoln Town Cars with just regular fuel, due to the... I was driving with my mechanic the other day, and I asked him what he thought about operating my Lincoln Town Cars with just regular fuel, due to the rising prices. He looked at me with a funny face and said "Buying premium fuel is a waste of money."

I then asked him why he thought this way. He told me in all the years he has owned Lincolns he has always used regular fuel, and he said he would never pay the extra money for premium fuel. I told him I was concerned due to the sticker they place in the fuel door, and He then told me that his personal Lincolns have reached well into the 200,000 mile range without issue.

Then he told me something that really hit home. He said, "When the fuel gets expensive the premium fuel will sit longer in the station tanks, resulting in a stale fuel, and with the reformulated fuels they use in Wisconsin this could actually be bad for your vehicle in the long run." ]]> MrQ45Limo http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?97-Premium-or-not-to-Premium Work needed! http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?96-Work-needed! Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:09:57 GMT As the title says, WE NEED WORK, we are accepting affiliate work from all reputable transportation companies we are insured by TIB, Miami Dade... As the title says, WE NEED WORK, we are accepting affiliate work from all reputable transportation companies
we are insured by TIB, Miami Dade County Licensed,Miami International Airport Licensed,Fort Lauderdale International Airport licensed. in business since 2007, chauffeured industry experiance 15 years, owner operator of one 2008 black Suburban with black leather interior
www.ctsmiamilimo.net
www.ctsmiamilimo.com
celeblimo@gmail.com
Thank You and may God Bless you all ! ]]> transporter http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?96-Work-needed! <![CDATA[New to the business & would like to meet other drivers in the limo world!]]> http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?95-New-to-the-business-amp-would-like-to-meet-other-drivers-in-the-limo-world! Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:56:24 GMT Hi everyone! My name is Russell & my father and I have recently just started our limousine business in Los Angeles. We are based in Studio City and have one 2003 Lincoln towncar 6 seater.The reason why we got into the business is cause I'm an Event Coordinator/Club Promoter. I've been doing this for some time now and thought "Why not kill two birds with one stone?" Drive my clients to events and get paid & Get paid for my clients going to events I promote.Now, good thing I found this site because I've been sending my overflow to Craigslist or just telling them I'm not available. Most of my clients I've been good friends with through the club scene so when I am not available for them, they don't mind taking a taxi. But they are still loyal and come back to me. We have only been in business for 1.5 weeks and have already taken the car out 11x.I am looking for professional drivers to work with and give my overflow to and vise versa. I will update my profile soon but for now check me out on www.myspace.com/russelljohn08.Well that's it for now. Have a Blessed day! -Russell ]]> Russell08 http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?95-New-to-the-business-amp-would-like-to-meet-other-drivers-in-the-limo-world! First Class Service is our Business! http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?94-First-Class-Service-is-our-Business! Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:46:01 GMT We have been in business for a year now. We are just starting our second year. We love the industry and would love the pleasure of hosting your... We have been in business for a year now. We are just starting our second year. We love the industry and would love the pleasure of hosting your guests and representing your company for all of your Tampa Bay area needs. We have a beautiful fleet of new & newer cars and offer red carpet service. 727-784-5466! ]]> sheri http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?94-First-Class-Service-is-our-Business! Out of State Limousine Services trying to muscle their way in. http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?93-Out-of-State-Limousine-Services-trying-to-muscle-their-way-in. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:44:21 GMT As a Limousine owner who has been at this business since 1987 I feel I must vent my frustration over these Limousine companies that come in to our... As a Limousine owner who has been at this business since 1987 I feel I must vent my frustration over these Limousine companies that come in to our areas from out of State and try to steal our business.

Our market is so completely flooded as it is, the last thing we need are these Pariah companies moving in and operating without proper permits and under cutting the prices that are already as low as they were back in the 90's.

As many of you can appreciate ranking on web-sites and struggling with just trying to make it on to the first page and staying there can drive you to complete madness. The last thing we need is to be bumped off to the second page or worse by a Limousine service that is not only operating illegally but not even from the area or even from the State.

I understand competition is just part of the game, but when these deep pocket, big budget services move in to the area, even if it is only on-line it does nothing but hurt the local services, and creates a problem for Limousine companies in general. These guy's move in and end up costing a local company more money in advertising but also forcing the rental prices to drop to compete.

The internet has been a great way to get your company name out there, but I can't help but feel that these out of State Companies are just making things just that much more of a pain in the behind, and I wish they would stick to there own areas of operation and stop flooding the little local markets with services they can't even provide efficiently.

How could a out of State Limousine company get a vehicle to you in a last minute scenario? They can't. How could an out of State Limousine service know where the best local place to eat would be? They can't. How would a out of State Limousine company know what the Hottest nightclub is or even where it is located? They can't. So you see this just makes clients mad and disgusted with Limousine companies in general.

This business has seen many changes over the years, but this latest development has just done nothing but shown how greedy and inconsiderate some people can be.

To those of you out there that still use your local vendors.....Thank You! ]]> MrQ45Limo http://www.limousinesonline.com/entry.php?93-Out-of-State-Limousine-Services-trying-to-muscle-their-way-in.